In this episode of 'The Ten Minute Medic,' host Dr. Bill Young takes us on a journey into the world of end-tidal CO2 monitoring - a critical but often misunderstood tool in emergency medicine.

From cardiac arrests to traumatic brain injuries, Dr. Young breaks down how this simple measurement of exhaled breath can tell us everything from whether chest compressions are effective to when a patient is coming back to life.

Today, we're delving into a critical topic that you'll undoubtedly encounter in the field: hemorrhagic shock. By the end of this podcast, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of what hemorrhagic shock is, why it's so dangerous, and why rapid recognition and treatment are crucial. This knowledge will be fundamental to your ability to save lives in emergency situations.

Welcome to "The Ten Minute Medic," your go-to podcast for concise, expert insights into emergency medicine. In our latest episode, we take a look at the critical topic of the pathophysiology of shock.

Join us as we explore how the heart, vasculature, and blood can fail during the shock process, leading to life-threatening consequences. We'll break down the mechanisms behind cardiac output reduction, vascular resistance abnormalities, and blood volume deficits, providing you with a succinct understanding of this complex condition.

Whether you're a seasoned paramedic or just starting out, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to better recognize and manage shock in the field.

Thanks to Yusuf Ahady for his suggestion on this week's episode. I'll be in touch with Yusuf to get his SWAG package headed his way.

End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) monitoring, a noninvasive technique measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, is emerging as a valuable tool in the management of sepsis, a systemic response to infection with potentially life-threatening consequences. In sepsis, the body's response to infection can lead to altered cellular metabolism and changes in respiratory function, both of which can affect CO2 levels. ETCO2 monitoring provides real-time insights into a patient's respiratory status and metabolic activity, which are crucial in sepsis management.

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Eclampsia, a life-threatening condition occurring during pregnancy, involves seizures and is preceded by preeclampsia. Understanding eclampsia is crucial for paramedics as it requires immediate medical attention to prevent severe complications for both mother and baby, highlighting the need for prompt recognition and emergency management in pre-hospital settings.

In this episode, we look at the pathophysiology, assessment and treatment of pre eclampsia and eclampsia. In particular a deep dive on the role of magnesium sulfate at the primary prevention and treatment of seizures in this deadly disease.

Pulmonary embolism is a condition where one or more blood clots travel from elsewhere in the body, commonly from deep veins in the legs (a condition known as deep vein thrombosis), and lodge in the arteries of the lungs. This blockage can critically reduce blood flow to the lung tissue, causing damage. The lack of perfusion leads to impaired gas exchange as the alveoli are not able to oxygenate the blood effectively. Additionally, the presence of a clot in the pulmonary arteries increases the resistance against which the right ventricle must pump, which can lead to strain and potentially right-sided heart failure, a condition known as acute cor pulmonale.

Make sure to join us for our next episode where we will do a review of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in the pregnant patient.

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Understanding Sgarbossa's Criteria is important for paramedic students, similar to knowing that a defibrillator is not just a high-tech paperweight. These criteria are a set of electrocardiographic findings designed to sniff out myocardial infarction (MI) in the presence of a tricky accomplice—left bundle branch block (LBBB) or a paced rhythm.

Understanding this, you can navigate through the confusion of LBBB, where AMIs might be playing an expert game of hide and seek. Applying the criteria allows for the early identification of ST-elevation MI, potentially saving precious heart muscle and, more importantly, the patient’s life—making the difference between a good day and a "why did I get out of bed" day.

In the world of emergency medicine, where 'time is muscle,' knowing Sgarbossa's Criteria ensures that paramedics don't just bring patients to the hospital faster but smarter, with a keener eye for those not-so-obvious cardiac events. This knowledge can turn a paramedic from a simple transporter to a life-saving detective, one ECG at a time.

Don’t forget that we need your help as to what you would like to see in future episodes. Visit the Ten Minute Medic Facebook page and leave your suggestions. If selected, we’ll give you a shout out and send you a small gift as our appreciation.

In this episode of the Ten Minute Medic, we delve into the complex pathophysiology of cardiac arrest in pregnant patients, emphasizing why a deep understanding of these unique physiological changes is crucial for effective pre-hospital care and improved maternal and fetal outcomes.

After you have listened, visit the Ten Minute Medic Facebook page and let me know what topic you would like to hear. If your idea is selected, I'll give you a shout out during the podcast.